2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WINNER....U.S.A.!!!

I have been voting in Presidential elections since 1974, when I turned 18, but my first political love was with Bobby Kennedy in 1968. He was the first political figure I became fascinated with, and, like the rest of us, I was devastated when he was assassinated. But I did become a political junkie after that, and I have have voted in every election since. Like most Americans, I always didn't pay close attention to all of the issues, and sometimes was swayed in my thinking by party loyalty, or the one with the best commercials. I have learned, as we all have, not to pay attention to polls, and to stop listening so closely to the so called "political experts." But this election is indeed, very different. Like every election, the word "change" is overused. However, this time it is indeed very true. We need a change. Without sounding like one of the candidates, our economy is hurting. Have you been to the grocery store lately? Have you stopped for gas, or paid for oil? Have you noticed that the pay raises don't equal the rising costs of everything else? The economy needs "changing," and I'm really not sure how a President can fix it.

I don't have health insurance, which in my home state of Mass. is a big no no, but I can't afford it. I lost my dream home several months ago, before all of the politicians decided to help the poor home owner. Mine is gone already, but I hope the rest of the homeowners can be saved. The next President needs to "change" these things. Good luck. I have heard, and seen first hand how illegal immigrants are taking some of our jobs, and that is sad. Granted, some Americans don't want to do menial jobs anymore, for minimum wage, but I think the homeless families might disagree with that theory. So the illegal immigrant problem needs to be fixed, which is one problem a new President can indeed "change," I do believe.

The war in Iraq is another problem facing our new President. I am a Marine Corps veteran, and I have a red, white, and blue heart. I cringe every single day when I hear about another one of our brave men and women being killed in the line of duty. But I also truly believe in our cause over there. We have taken a poor country, overrun by terrorists and thugs, and owned by a tyrant Dictator, and changed it into a democratic nation. 70% of the population voted for a new leader, which is something our own country will never be able to brag about. Does our position in Iraq need to be changed, yes. But we also owe it to every brave soldier who has died , or been injure, to finish what we started. If you remember our last few days in South Vietnam, and the results of our blood being spilled on that soil, I think you'll agree that we owe it to our Men and Women to finish this one the right way. So, our next President has to "change'' our war policy.

These are just a few of the major issues facing all of us this election season. So, instead of waiting for commercials, or a controlled debate, I thought I'd do something different this year. It's too important to just trust the media. Yesterday, I visited the official websites for Senators McCain, Obama, and Clinton. I clicked onto their views on all of the above issues. I also checked out a few more things, but those were my major concerns. I was hoping to get a clearer picture in my mind about who would be the best choice to lead our Country into the next 4 years. And I did what I set out to do. I now know who will be a good next President of the United States of America. All three of the candidates. By the way, I'm not yet counting Mr. Huckaby out, but the facts are the facts. So what does this all mean? It's very, very simple.

All three candidates are strong on all of these issues. They seem to have realistic plans in place to deal with our Economy, our Health Care, Immigration, and the War in Iraq. Although I did not agree with some of their thought, or how to pay for them, I got a clear idea of where each of them stood. One candidate seemed to have more detailed outlines, but that's just my opinion. I came away from my experiment thinking one thing. Whoever the next President ends up being, for the first time since I've been voting, I won't be extremely disappointed if my candidate doesn't win, because all three candidates will be good for this country. I'm a devoted Democrat, but it's nice to have such a good field of candidates on both sides. I like them all. I'm confident the country won't be let down with whoever gets elected. There is a first time for everything. I like the dedication and experience of Senator McCain, he is a good person, and a loyal citizen of our great country. We won't lose if he is elected, because I believe he can truly work across party lines, something our leader for the last 8 years has never accomplished. I like the excitement, optimism, and vision of Senator Obama. He is a refreshing candidate, and a true political force to be reckoned with. The excitement I see in voters eyes at his events brings me right back to my first political love. I think he would make a very good President also. And finally, we have Senator Clinton. Her experience cannot be overlooked, or discounted. She truly cares about our Country, and has an inside look at the workings of a President. I believe she would make an excellent President, ready to go on day one, as she likes to say.

So, who am I voting for? I can tell you that I will vote, and my mind is pretty much made up. But what does it matter what I say? You have to decide. Don't listen to me, or anyone else, except for the candidates themselves. But please, get out and vote. A few years ago, I had my son, daughter, and nephew come to vote with me for their first President. What a proud moment that was for me. Our candidate lost, by the way, but they vow to vote again in the next election. That, my friends, is the only choice I need to know about. God Bless the U.S.A.!